Chapter 19 Study Quiz

What are the functions of the skin?

Prevents water loss, regulates temperature, senses stimuli, forms vitamin D, and acts as a barrier to microbes.

What are the two main layers of the skin?

Dermis and epidermis.

What is Rocky Mountain spotted fever?

A tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii with a non-itchy rash and possible organ failure.

What pathogen causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever?

Rickettsia rickettsii, a gram-negative intracellular parasite.

How is Rocky Mountain spotted fever transmitted?

Through the bite of infected ticks.

Where is Rocky Mountain spotted fever most prevalent?

Appalachian Mountains region.

How is Rocky Mountain spotted fever diagnosed, treated, and prevented?

Diagnosed by Serological tests; treated with antimicrobials and prevented by tick avoidance.

What is cutaneous anthrax?

A skin disease caused by Bacillus anthracis that produces a black, painless ulcer called an eschar.

How is cutaneous anthrax treated and prevented?

Treated with antimicrobials; prevented by controlling animal infections.

What is gas gangrene?

Death of muscle/connective tissue with gas bubbles, caused by Clostridium species, especially C. perfringens.

What causes gas gangrene?

Endospore-forming Clostridium species that secrete toxins.

What are the symptoms of gas gangrene?

Blackened tissue, gas bubbles, tissue death.

How is gas gangrene diagnosed, treated and prevented?

Diagnosed: appearance

Treatment: Rapid surgical removal of tissue, antitoxins, antimicrobials

Prevention: proper wound care.

What are herpes infections?

Skin lesions caused by human herpesvirus 1 and 2, with recurring symptoms.

What causes the symptoms of herpes infections?

Inflammation, cell death, and syncytia formation.

How is herpes transmitted?

Through mucous membrane contact, including mouth and genitals.

How are herpes infections diagnosed, treated, and prevented?

Diagnosed:

Lesion observation, immunoassays; Treated: antivirals manage but don’t cure.

Prevented: wearing gloves to limit exposure

What is chickenpox?

Highly contagious disease with skin lesions, caused by varicella-zoster virus.

What is shingles?

Reactivation of latent VZV in nerves, producing painful skin lesions along nerve pathways.

How is VZV transmitted?

From respiratory tract to skin via blood and lymph.

Who is most affected by chickenpox and shingles?

Children (chickenpox); shingles risk increases with age.

How is chickenpox/shingles diagnosed, treatment, and prevented?

Diagnosis based on lesions;

Treatment: only relieve symptoms

Prevention:vaccine available.

What is rubella?

Mild rash in children; may cause arthritis or encephalitis in adults; dangerous to fetus if congenital.

What causes rubella?

Rubella virus, spread via respiratory secretions.

How is rubella diagnosed and prevented?

Observation of rash, serological testing; vaccine available.

What is measles (rubeola)?

Severe viral illness with Koplik's spots; complications include brain inflammation.

What causes measles?

Measles virus with adhesion and fusion proteins for immune evasion.

How is measles spread, diagnosed, treated and prevented?

Spread: Respiratory droplets;

Diagnosed: based on signs of measles

Treatment: administration of vitamin A and
antibodies

MMR vaccine prevents.

What is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?

Rare fatal complication of measles.

What is leishmaniasis?

Parasitic disease with cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral forms.

What causes leishmaniasis?

Protozoan Leishmania, spread by female sand flies.

What are the forms of leishmaniasis?

Cutaneous (skin lesions), mucocutaneous (affects mucous membranes), visceral (systemic spread).

How is leishmaniasis diagnosed, treated, and prevention?

Microscopic protozoa ID;

severe cases need antimicrobials (most don’t treatment).

prevention: Reduce contact with sand flies and animal reservoirs.